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| an array of rapid id kits |
Much of the testing in the microbiology laboratory uses
technology and techniques that haven't
changed much since the 1800’s. Many of
the tests used to identify organisms require special reagents or advanced
training. Many of the test procedures require extended time from days to weeks
depending on what organism is causing one’s disease. Another disadvantage of
these testing methods is that many organisms isolated are so similar that it
can be difficult to determine what is causing a person to be sick. Because of
the limitations of the test available in the microbiology laboratory and
advances in our understanding of pathogens rapid testing kits that can identify
the causative agent during the course of a doctor’s office visit have been developed
and many more will be developed.  |
| prototype of mobile test LCN |
Currently there are rapid identification kits for many
common or very serious pathogens such as strep, Malaria, and HIV. Though new
tests are being developed at incredible speeds the list of potential pathogens
is long and is growing. In class we were shown examples of cassette type rapid
tests. With the penetration of the smartphone throughout the world many new
types of test are being developed that can take advantage of the always
connected nature to not only diagnose but to track the spread in effort to
prevent the spread. Because these rapid tests require less specialized training
they are beginning to appear on store shelves so that you can know the results
of the test and inform the doctor so that he can start the treatment much
quicker.
It seems as though everyday technology is now being implemented more and more into health related tests, guides, etc. As we saw at the health career fair earlier this year, we saw that the Birmingham based company MedSnap was using tablet and smartphone technology for use in guidance of distribution of prescription medications to patients for both themselves and healthcare providers. We also learned from Laboratory Management that medical devices that supposedly “scan” a person’s body and can instantly tell a person’s health status is being slowly developed. The difficult thing with all these new health technologies however, is the slow process of getting certified by the FDA for consumer use.
ReplyDeleteI for one am thankful for these emerging technologies and completely support their future development. Paving the way for this future starts with us, the technologists. We are in the position to contemplate how we can improve on the current laboratory design. However as these rapid tests become more and more commercialized I can not help but fear that our role in the microbiology lab may dwindle. To combat this, we must stay up to date on the emerging technologies and find new ways to make ourselves more useful.
ReplyDeleteI am all for easier and faster techniques! Better efficiency means that more lives will be saved. I also feel like that more efficient techniques will help with the fight against antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance has become a major problem in the medical world. Antibiotics are prescribed way too often and as a result, these "superbugs" are being produced. A common practice with doctors is to give a patient a common antibiotic that could be used to combat a large number of different pathogens while the tests are being run on the patient samples to get a definitive diagnosis. After the diagnosis is made, the doctor will change the antibiotic to something more specific. If we could cut out the large chunk of time it takes to make some of these diagnoses, we could lower the amount of unnecessary antibiotics that are given, thus lowering the amount of antibiotic resistant pathogens. The only concern I have about these "easier' techniques is what they will do for our profession. We as Clinical Laboratory Scientists are a very well trained group of individuals. We are extremely technical; that is what make us so valuable. If we take out the technical side of our job requirements, will there still be a need for us? Or would hospitals be more apt to hire a MLT who can take a lower wage?
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